Lightning Recall FW Richard Panik From Syracuse, Send Malone To IR

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TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forward Richard Panik from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced. Panik will wear No. 71. The Lightning also placed forward Ryan Malone on injured reserve today after sustaining a lower body injury prior to Sunday night’s game against the New York Rangers.

Panik, 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, has played in 43 games with the Crunch this season, recording 21 goals and 35 points. He is fourth in the league for goals and leads all Syracuse forwards for plus-minus rating with a plus-19. Panik is also tied for third on the Crunch for power play goals with six. He recorded an AHL-high 12-game point streak from November 2 through December 1 with 17 points. Panik has played in 107 career AHL games with Syracuse and the Norfolk Admirals, recording 40 goals and 76 points. Panik made his professional debut last season, appearing in 64 games with Norfolk and registering 19 goals and 41 points. He helped the Admirals to the AHL’s Calder Cup Championship, playing in 18 playoff games with five goals and six points.

A native of Martin, Slovakia, Panik played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires, Belleville Bulls and Guelph Storm. During his OHL career he amassed 48 goals and 97 points in 111 games. Panik also participated in the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2010 IIHF World Championships.

Panik was drafted by the Lightning in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.